Japan drone legislation aviation
13 Haziran 2019 - 07:57

'Don't drink and drone,' say Japanese MPs
Tokyo, June 13, 2019 (AFP) - People in Japan operating drones under the
influence could face up to a year in prison under new laws passed Thursday
that aim to control the increasingly popular devices.
Drunkenly flying a drone weighing more than 200 grams (seven ounces) could
also result in a fine of up to 300,000 yen ($2,750), after the lower house of
parliament passed the new legislation following a string of accidents.
Performing dangerous stunts with drones such as sharp plunges will also be
subject to fines of up to 500,000 yen.
"We believe operating drones after consuming alcohol is as serious as
(drink) driving," a transport ministry official told AFP.
The rules come as Japan sees a rising amount of drone usage as well as
related accidents.
In 2017, an industrial-sized drone was deployed at a "robot festival" in
Ogaki city in central Japan and was supposed to shower small children with
sweets.
But the device, operated by a qualified individual, injured six people
after plunging 10 metres (33 feet) to the ground.
Japan has also had to confront issues with tourists flying drones in
congested tourist areas like Kyoto.
Last month, Japan passed a set of laws to ban drones over Tokyo 2020
Olympic sites and US military facilities, after banning them over key
facilities like the Prime Minister's Office and the Imperial Palace.
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